{"product_id":"gamma-exploring-eulers-constant-9780691178103","title":"Gamma: Exploring Euler's Constant","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmong the many constants that appear in mathematics, \u003ci\u003eπ\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003ee\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003ei\u003c\/i\u003e are the most familiar. Following closely behind is \u003ci\u003ey\u003c\/i\u003e, or gamma, a constant that arises in many mathematical areas yet maintains a profound sense of mystery. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In a tantalizing blend of history and mathematics, Julian Havil takes the reader on a journey through logarithms and the harmonic series, the two defining elements of gamma, toward the first account of gamma's place in mathematics. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Introduced by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), who figures prominently in this book, gamma is defined as the limit of the sum of 1 + 1\/2 + 1\/3 + . . . Up to 1\/\u003ci\u003en\u003c\/i\u003e, minus the natural logarithm of \u003ci\u003en\u003c\/i\u003e--the numerical value being 0.5772156. . . . But unlike its more celebrated colleagues \u003ci\u003eπ\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003ee\u003c\/i\u003e, the exact nature of gamma remains a mystery--we don't even know if gamma can be expressed as a fraction. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Among the numerous topics that arise during this historical odyssey into fundamental mathematical ideas are the Prime Number Theorem and the most important open problem in mathematics today--the Riemann Hypothesis (though no proof of either is offered ). \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Sure to be popular with not only students and instructors but all math aficionados, \u003ci\u003eGamma\u003c\/i\u003e takes us through countries, centuries, lives, and works, unfolding along the way the stories of some remarkable mathematics from some remarkable mathematicians.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJulian Havil\u003c\/b\u003e is a retired former master at Winchester College, England, where he taught mathematics for thirty-three years. He received a Ph.D. in mathematics from Oxford University. \u003cb\u003eFreeman Dyson\u003c\/b\u003e is professor emeritus of physics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. He is the author of several books, including \u003ci\u003eDisturbing the Universe\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eOrigins of Life\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Princeton University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50514314625298,"sku":"9780691178103","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_a36d2186-6a6d-4421-88ce-14b112ed4731.jpg?v=1730979347","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/gamma-exploring-eulers-constant-9780691178103","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}